Tuskegee Airman visits USAF Expeditionary Center Published March 7, 2014 By Capt. Brooke Brzozowske U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center welcomed an original Tuskegee Airmen to its halls on March 6, 2014. Tech. Sgt. (Ret.) George Watson Sr., an original Tuskegee Airman, shared military memories and moments of history as a part of the USAF EC's guest speaker series. Watson is 93-years-old, enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 when he was assigned to Tuskegee, Ala. The Tuskegee Airmen were members of the first program to teach African Americans to operate and maintain combat aircraft. "It has been such an honor to share in the trials, tribulation, and triumph of your service," Maj. Gen. Rick Martin, USAFEC commander, said to Watson. "Mr. Watson embodies the very best of our American heritage." Watson shared several stories with the audience, but made a point not to focus on the negative. "I may have to tell you some of the ways we were treated, but it wasn't all bad," Watson said. "Everyone has to overcome things that are negative in life, but that's why it's so important to never give up." Watson continued to impress upon the importance of moral and mental fortitude - never giving up. "Even though there were a lot of prejudices we had to overcome, I choose not to dwell on the negative," he explained. "That's what I would tell Airmen today - focus on the positive and don't give up." Watson dedicated 26 years to the military, traveled the world sharing his stories, and eventually retired near Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.